The Planner is responsible for influencing and implementing the relevant brand’s merchandise strategy. They manage financial and strategic aspects of various products, including product planning, controlling open-to-buy, and reviewing figures. They also handle range assortments, replenishment, distribution strategy, and communication with stores and field teams. Additionally, they provide insights and recommendations for improving merchandise performance.
Key Responsibilities:
- Dual role working as a Merchandise Planner and Allocator/Store Planner
- Work collaboratively with the buying team to maximise sales, optimise inventory levels and grow profit
- Analysis of merchandise performance with relevant outcomes proposed
- Effectively communicate, present and implement the product strategy
- Effectively communicate, present and implement the promotional strategy aligned to marketing campaigns
- Financial and strategic management of the product e.g. product planning, allocations, controlling OTB, reviewing weekly & monthly figures
- Provide weekly and monthly trade feedback with associated action plans
- Managing monthly, seasonal and financial year forecasts for product categories
- Managing range size and assortments
- Managing replenishment stock
- Establish and maintain collaborative partnerships with internal and external partners, including suppliers
Qualifications and Experience:
- Matric
- Relevant 3-year tertiary qualification
- 3 - 5 years + proven working experience as a Merchandise Planner.
- Store planning/allocator experience or demonstrates a solid understanding of product allocations to stores
- Sound understanding of the retail cycle and planning process
- A high degree of numeracy and an analytical, detailed and strategic approach to work
- Computer literacy in word, excel (advanced) and planning systems
- Strong business acumen and merchant thinking
Skills:
- Analytical Processes
- Commercial Acumen
- Customer Service Delivery
- Policy & Procedures
- Market Research and Analysis
- Requirements Analysis
- Strategic eCommerce
- Good organisational and interpersonal skills
- Excellent communication and negotiation skills
- Proven decision-making ability
Behaviours:
- Builds Networks - establishes and nurtures internal and external relationships in order to create robust, and mutually beneficial, partnerships
- Drives Results - sets ambitious goals and takes focused action to achieve desired outcomes to deliver measurable results
- Ensures Accountability - takes accountability and ensures others are held to account on agreed upon performance targets
- Manages Complexity - interprets and simplifies complex and contradictory information when resolving organisational problems
- Plans and Aligns - develops plans and prioritises initiatives that align to the organisational goals and objectives Situational Adaptability - effectively adjusts their behaviour, approach, and decision-making based on the situation
Preference will be given, but not limited to candidates from designated groups in terms of the Employment Equity Act.
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